The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-04

all for kissin' an that She liked bein' made
over and petted He-he wasn't that sort,
you know"
-Never do for Brownie said Alice, mis-
chievously. Brownie never could get on
without the kissing, neverls
Especially with the Waiting false teeth. -
put in Harry
| ~Yes,p says Alice. How Brownies heart
would ache, to be sure; she'd pine away and
die
That's what his fust wife did, continued
Mis- Simpkins. -She just up and died. He
drinked a good deal in them DAYS, though has
quit that now. That made him more 'urri-
table, reckon. He's mild-mannered enough
now, but he's got plzen in him yit.n
providence made EN- for one another ex-
claimed Alice, fervently Brownies got
| 'pizen' in her, too"
But he was always a good pervider,7 con
tinued Mis- Simpkins. ~Give the devil his
| docs
@Doi7 murmured wicked Harry.
Mis- Simpkins still showed her lofty superb
| ority to these naughty interruptions.
1T amt well for females 10 be alone in the
world. know what it is to be a lone wo-
man-not but what it's a good lonesome
sometimes, will say that
Alice-Brownie's fragile flower, too ten
der too live alone, aren't you Brownie,
-All I've got to say said Mis- Simpkins,
raising her voice, ais that Bence wabbnobbs
amt to be grinned at byEthem that's got no
| teeth"
Harry-Mr. wabbnobbs has got teeth,
anyhow.
And, continued Mis- Simpkins, fixing him
| with her glittering eye, "if Brownies got the
gumption l give her credit for, she'll not turn
her back the gifts of Providence when
they fly in her face. He amt han'some
that's fact. But if a man wus good per-
| wider, and had plenty, wouldn't keer if he
was humbly as the tongs-Td take him
That was Mis- Simpkins sermon.
The children laughed beyond reason and
| teased Brownie incessantly about her good
| pervider. But nobody dreamed of anything
serious In earnest, the Carstones would al
most as soon have thought of marrying their
sister to Rip the tramp.
Rip was now a distinguished and rising
thief and burglar. No influence could reach
him. There was wildness in him that moth
| ing could tame. He was picturesque look
| ing desperate, too, with tawny hair and
| flashing white teeth. His frame was well
knit; he was 1.-the and graceful as panther.
| When he met Brownie in the village street.
| he shot glance at her from his daring yea
furtive eyes that made her uncomfortable.
She was beginning to be afraid of him, with
q nameless dread.
One day the young scamp entered the stone
| house abruptly. Whether he entered house
| by day or night this estimable former ac-
| quaintance of ours did not knock at the door
first 1t was not his way.
Brownie was alone. He asked for some
thing to eat. She gave him some bread and
| meat.
al don't want that" said he "Gimme
piece of pie want pie"
ave don't make pie at our house." replied
Brownie. go away
He came close to her, so close that she felt
| his hot breath upon her cheek and covered
beneath his glowing eyes.
| Don't you be so sassy, or the bad manu
| come and carry you off, and hide you in the
woods. He wouldn't stop much TO do it
now"
She was frightened, and showed it, He
saw it and laughed. Then he said:
"Don't be skeered. Where's your sisterl
She'll give me some pie, know"
She pointed out toward the grounds in
silence She was only too glad to be rid of
him. He wheeled in the direction of her
finger, and was gone. He was quite respect
full and humble to Shirley.
"There's something you ought to know,
missiz," he began at once. THAT there
earnest. He's got wife and children now,
out there where he's been in the west. I've
seen em many a time. He's got money,
though. How did he get its He got it by
swindling his pardner. Derned if he didn't
He went back on his pard"
Shirley smiled at the solemn enormity
which this offence had assumed in the mind
of the vagabond.
Il dare say you're right, Rip" she
swered, gently. II believe you. It's kind of
you to tell me of it, and l thank you, but
there's no danger to Brownie. She wouldn't
look at Wabbnobbs"
There's something else you'd ought to
know, too" continued Rip, presently. Il
never go back on friend. But this chaps
no friend of mine don't associate with
feller that'll steal from his pard," said Rip,
with magnificent scorn. II hate himI" he ex-
claimed, through his teeth. There was a
viciousness about him that seemed uncalled
for.
"Welll" asked Shirley.
@'Twas Wabbnobbs took Tom into that
club house where he lost Mis- Simkins' $500.
Wabbnobbs got half the money"
Now Shirley was interested.
as that really truef she asked.
II saw 'em make the divvy."
Shirley considered
serve that trick on greeny whose sister he
wants to marry, amt just the feller to have
fur a brother-in-l law in a high toned family"
remarked Rip, virtuouslY.
at looks to me exactly that way, too, said
Shirley. "rm glad you told me this. But
really there is nothing in that about Brownie
nothing at ALL"
Rip was only half satisfied. He shook his
head.
Il don't know about that, missiz. Anyway,
if was you, I'd look leetle out. Things
that seems to be in fun often turns out to be
in earnest"
He started to 60 Then he came back
"You won't say anything TOTO your sister
that / told you this? She might think was
meddlin."
Shirley looked at him curiously.
"Why, certainly not, Rip. But what do
you care for the i'll will of a girl like that's"
"Oh, well, l dunno" he said confusedly
"a feller don't jist like to have gal down on
him" Then he disappeared in the bushes in
an instant.
Still the children chaffed Brownie; still
Shirley was sure there was nothing in it.
And still Brownie fumed and fretted be-
cause she could not have beautiful silk
stockings and fresh gloves every day, and
because this and that. The fine old stone
house, with its deep, embowered windows,
and faded, though solid furnishings, looked
very mean to her in the midst of the preten-
tious mansions that began to rise around it.
One day in mood of burning discomfort she
went out to grumble by herself She thought
not at all of the good she had All that
seemed to her worth having was the good she
had not She brooded bitterly. At last she
exclaimed:
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